“Annie’s Story, Blessed With A Gift” is based on life in Colonial Massachusetts from 1630 to 1648. Annie’s message is timeless and her shining spirit reveals that “History Does Repeat Itself” with the treatment, abuse, labeling, and bullying of women, children, and individuals with special needs. In Annie’s lifetime, babies born with birth defects and their mothers were banished or put to death—their names cleansed from all church and legal records. Yet, have perceptions changed all that much? Have they changed enough? The answer is a resounding, “No!”

Annie came to me in an age regression that somehow slipped into a past-life regression by an Instructor of The National Guild of Hypnotists. Instead of returning to my childhood—WHAM! like hitting a brick wall—I was in someone else’s body, crushed in a pitch black hole, surrounded by wood and earth. This is how I met Annie; or rather I should say, I became Annie.

The Colonists laughed at Annie’s dwarfed appearance and sluggish way of talking. My conscious mind of the 21st century, however, realized that Annie was mentally slow, stunted in growth, and lacking in social and emotional development. I also knew she was innocent and childlike as well as an incredible telepathic savant, blessed with a gift from the Spiritual Universe.

Hence, began a quest that has spanned years. I made amazing discoveries about a time in American history that many generations have tried to eradicate or conceal as was done with the Witch Hysteria of 1692-93, nearly half-a-century “after” Annie lived. This story of love and faith, coupled with the inequality of different people—now called “special” people—begs to be told. “Annie’s Story” is about an unusual child growing up in Colonial America, who is “Blessed With A Gift.”

MY RECOMMENDATION:

Annie’s Story: Blessed with a Gift is historical fiction based on fact written after the author’s experience with a past-life regression. If that statement doesn’t intrigue you (my jaw literally dropped) then wait until you read the Foreword in the book. I read it twice and then read it once more because I was enthralled with the possibilities of what I would find between these pages.

From the first page, Annie’s story will touch your heart. When I read the circumstances behind the wee baby’s birth, I knew this was going to be an extraordinary saga, one that I wouldn’t soon forget.

It’s the year 1630, in what is known as Lynn, Massachusetts, a settlement near the Puritans in Salem. Born premature, Annie struggles to survive after her parents have succumbed to a deadly virus. When her parent’s bodies are discovered, they find the baby lying near them wrapped in the MacLean plaid. The clan leader escapes with the baby and delivers her into her Granny’s arms.

Granny, Mistress Blackbain, had combined the Catholicism of the MacKinnon clan with her own pagan rituals to create a spiritualism that held the power of the goddess and the spirit of God all rolled up into one. Her herbal remedies had been handed down from generation to generation of women in her family. Granny possessed the gift of healing and nothing would stop her from saving the last survivor of her family.

Annie, Granny’s wee fairy-sprite survives by the miraculous intervention of Hannah, the priest’s house woman who shares the mysterious and intimate details of her true identity with Granny as she suckles the premature Annie, along with her own baby, Jane.

Hannah’s story is shocking but Granny recognizes the truth in her explanation. Granny, Annie, Father Ian, Hannah, and Jane form a tightknit family unit sworn to keep the truth from all who might inquire about Jane’s parentage. The girls are raised as sisters and flourish under Granny’s care.

There are many magical moments shared between the children, Iris the goat, and Granny as Annie and Jane continue to grow. The author writes some of the most endearing magic in these passages. All I could think about was the love that blossomed within this family. It filled me with joy.

Annie is a gift from the goddess herself, endowed with the ability to heal much like her own granny. She possesses the rare metaphysical ability to communicate with other beings and realms that mere mortals don’t even acknowledge. There also exists a kindness in the child that you inherently know is filled with compassion and goodness for all. Yet, Annie lacks the ability to read and comprehend words. She misses the mark on cues and social situations. My heart ached for the tiny girl.

When illness strikes the Algonquin tribe, Granny nurses the daughter of the tribe back to health. This baby will grow to become a powerful shaman for the tribe. The lives of these characters are now destined to intertwine for eternity.

There are many lessons and themes in this novel. Much of American history is steeped in the horrors of religious persecution and the oppression of those who do not share the same beliefs. Annie’s story is no different. She is persecuted for being different. Her kindness and compassion and many gifts were all she had to give. None of that seemed to matter; she was still scorned and misunderstood.

I won’t lie. The more I read, the more emotionally vested I became in the story. The reality of the novel is that the author knows in another life she was Annie. As a Pagan Buddhist, those realities are not lost on me.

If you are looking for a story that you won’t be able to forget, read Annie’s story and experience the mystical realism of a life lived and shielded by the divine. There are plans for a sequel to this story. I can’t wait! ❤

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE!

Annie’s Story Blessed With a Gift is FREE as a Kindle e-book on Amazon from February 5th – 9th, 2018! Make sure to take advantage of this fabulous offer from the author.

Deborah Bowman has been sharing her stories and poems her whole life–her first poem published in a 4-H magazine at just 12 years old. She loves just about all genres of fiction and collects classical literature. Deborah’s recent selections are close to her heart. She has a passion and a crusade for the headline-driven factual and historical material which she weaves into novels and novellas.

New Release: Annie’s Story, Blessed With A Gift B01N9NRYMU
Historical Fiction based on fact via a past-life hypnotic regression. Annie was born dwarfed with a slow mind in 1630 Colonial America in a secreted Scottish village of the Massachusetts Bay Colony near Puritanical Salem. She is also whimsical, loving, and blessed with the gift of healing from the Spiritual Universe. In a time of suspicion and fear of demonology and witchcraft, many children with birth defects and their mothers were banished or put to death. This is a coming of age story which reveals parallels to our modern society in the abuse, ridicule, bullying, and labeling of individuals with special needs. History does repeat itself!

B00TVULOQY, DELILAH, ASTRAL INVESTIGATOR, INFINITY SERIES: EPISODE ONE, THE BOY AND THE SHOPKEEPER. A very modern teenager, Delilah (“Dee”) and a Colonial American from 1774, Bartholomew (“Bartie”) team up with Dee’s rambunctious and intuitive cat, Molly, to go back in time or journey to the future to save lost souls on the astral plane. Their mission is to save the world! Age appropriate for “tweens”, teens, YA, and adults as well, especially if you love the paranormal and believe in alternate planes of reality.

LIVING IN A SHADOW, B00AP68CUO, a full-length novel intended for mature readers deals with abuse and date-rape drugs. She presents the real-life facts that anyone can be a victim of these brutal attacks. “What do you do and how do you cope when you can’t remember what has been done to you? The side effects of these drugs can damage your physical and mental health or even cause death!”

The Denny Ryder Paranormal Crime Series (STROKE OF FEAR! B00CFWYAX4/STROKE OF MIDNIGHT! B00F8Z2KAK/STROKE OF SILENCE! B00JH78VOE) are quick-read novellas for the busy adult and age-appropriate for tweens/teens/YA. There is an epidemic in this country of missing children. “It’s important for children to know that danger lurks everywhere. If they can recognize a predator’s persuasion, they at least have a chance to run away, hide, or cry for help. Unfortunately, not all abductions can be prevented, but for every child that is saved, one less family is spared the heartbreak that can never be comforted.”

Deborah has a 20+-year history as well as formal education in writing, editing, proofreading, and publishing. She believes strongly in helping first-time and seasoned writers alike create quality books and eBooks at clasidconsultantspublishing.com. She does free reviews and critiques. “Books are timeless; readers are forever.”

Deborah has various upcoming projects but is always happy to hear from you and connect on social media.

Thanks for stopping by to hear about this excellent historical drama. You will love Annie! I did. ❤

Are you looking for more great reads? Join author, D.G. Kaye, and myself in our Facebook group, The Literary Diva’s Library to find book reviews, book promotions, & special deals on books from authors you love.

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Published by Colleen Chesebro

Colleen M. Chesebro loves writing speculative fiction and the sub-genres of fantasy and magical realism, other types of cross-genre fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. She loves all things magical which may mean that she could be experiencing her second childhood – or not. That part of her life hasn’t been fully decided yet.
A few years ago, a mystical experience led her to renew her passion for writing and storytelling. These days she resides in the fantasy realm of the Fairy Whisperer where she writes the magical poetry and stories that the fairy nymphs whisper to her in her dreams.
Colleen lives in Colorado with her husband. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband. She also loves gardening, reading, and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art. You can learn more about Colleen at www.colleenchesebro.com.
View all posts by Colleen Chesebro

Colleen, my dear Fairy Whisperer. You have made Annie and I so very happy! I can see wee Annie in the mists under her favorite oak tree, one tiny curled finger holding up the full skirt of her long green grownup dress, as she twirls on stunted bare feet and sings your praises in Scottish Gaelic. She reaches out to you as the two of you join hands across the Universe under the watchful eye of the Mother Goddess, who silently smiles and nods her glowing face in friendship. All the ethereal fairies, gods, and goddesses surround you and Annie with love, protection, magic, and blessings. Deborah, of this incarnation, watches and softly cries tears of joy, “Thank you, my dear friend.”

I cried reading your beautiful kind words. Annie touched me deeply and there are so many of these stories that must be told. It’s the only way we can hold the magic in our hearts. Sweet Annie lives on in all of us who recognize her golden light. ❤

And I cry as I write this in return because we both know that even almost 4 centuries later, there are even more “Annies” out there crying for our love and assistance. As long as the cycle remains the same, the atrocities against children and “special” individuals will not be broken. We are the lone voices in the dark, reaching to comfort the forgotten and forsaken. We shall fight for all the “Annies” and “Thomas’s” of the world!

Reblogged this on BowmanAuthor and Writer/Editor and commented:
THE BEST REVIEW OF ANNIE AND HER FRIENDS! Colleen Chesebro, The Fairy Whisperer, describes Annie’s Story and the characters of my book as the “real” people they are in my heart and soul. Annie, Janey, Hannah, Ian, Dancing Feather, even Iris be Goat! And poor Thomas…

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Meet the Faery Whisperer

Colleen M. Chesebro loves writing speculative fiction and the sub-genres of fantasy and magical realism, other types of cross-genre fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. She loves all things magical which may mean that she could be experiencing her second childhood – or not. That part of her life hasn’t been fully decided yet.
A few years ago, a mystical experience led her to renew her passion for writing and storytelling. These days she resides in the fantasy realm of the Fairy Whisperer where she writes the magical poetry and stories that the fairy nymphs whisper to her in her dreams.
Colleen lives in Colorado with her husband. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband. She also loves gardening, reading, and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art. You can learn more about Colleen at www.colleenchesebro.com.

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